The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) launched the project on development of ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (Bharat VECTO) for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’, a landmark project in India’s homologation process, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. ARAI is showcasing its technology and services at stall no H11-04, Bharat Mandapam; stall no H2-02, Yashobhoomi and stall no H1-A14, India Expo Centre & Mart from 17 to 22 January 2025.

Minister of Road, Transport and Highway Shri Nitin Gadkari; Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI; P K Banerjee, Chief Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Dr Sukrut S. Thipse, Senior Deputy Director – ARAI and Bharat VECTO Project Leader graced the event.

In accordance with Europe, the United States, Japan, China and other countries, the developed Bharat VECTO will be used to compute the realistic fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) (GVW > 3.5 tonnes) on a driving cycle basis. The BS-VII regulation will include it. Various mission profiles will be created under the Bharat VECTO project to address all HDV classifications, driving styles, road topography etc. Before being finalised for usage, the created tool will be tested on a few vehicle classifications. Along with project partners, ARAI will make every effort to create Bharat VECTO. It will be made available in Bharat Stage-VII and will serve cars powered by internal combustion engines, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell EVs and flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in a phased way.

At Bharat Mandapam, a concept demo of the Over-Head Automated Charging Device (OH-ACD), one of ARAI's projects in collaboration with IIT-Madras, is on exhibit. Fast charging is possible with the 600-kW charging power, 1000V voltage and 600A current, which is made to satisfy the needs of the changing transportation environment. In addition to OH-ACD, the company is showcasing its in-house ADAS Validation Platform, a Light Commercial Vehicle with a 117 HP engine and an E-Axle for European customers and a Training Kit for the Battery Management System.

Stall number H2-02, Yashobhoomi, lists ARAI's specialised service portfolio for certification and support in developmental validation for components, systems and sub-systems. Along with engine models and lightweight components from the ARAI Fatigue Material Centre of Excellence, ARAI is also exhibiting the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) Bike and Battery Management System Kit, which was constructed by ARAI engineers.

Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said, “It is a great pleasure to host Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and have his presence for the launch of Bharat VECTO project. Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has played a significant role in enabling ARAI guide the auto industry towards one direction. Hence, ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’ will be instrumental in accelerating the momentum for industry-wide adoption of green mobility. ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation and developmental testing and standardisation has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility like Over-Head Automated Charging Device, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain, which are at display at Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for greener tomorrow.”

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The UK government is securing 4,200 jobs following an investment of more than GBP 700 million into the advanced manufacturing sector.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle announced the measures during a visit to Agratas in Somerset, where a GBP 380 million grant was confirmed to support the construction of a gigafactory. The facility, built using British steel, is projected to generate GBP 43 billion in economic growth over 25 years and will include a training unit to provide 300 apprenticeships.

Additional funding includes GBP 47 million for the Battery Innovation Programme to support research and development projects and GBP 190 million for the automotive industry. Of this, GBP 90 million in DRIVE35 funding has been awarded to firms including Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover for prototype development, while GBP 100 million is allocated to suppliers in the North East and West Midlands to assist in the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing.

The UK government is also providing GBP 115.44 million through the Made Smarter programmes to help small and medium-sized enterprises adopt digital technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, a GBP 182 million engineering skills package has been implemented to train the next generation of technicians, alongside GBP 1.4 million for autonomous freight and passenger service trials in UK ports.

Peter Kyle, Business Secretary, UK Government, said, “This government is backing the industries of the future by investing in auto firms, SMEs and battery manufacturers across the country - helping to boost economic growth and our resilience, secure jobs and put more money in people’s pockets. In an unstable world, our Modern Industrial Strategy is providing investors the stability and confidence they need to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond. That is what sets us apart from the rest, and will help ensure advanced manufacturing remains a thriving sector in the UK for decades to come.”

Earl Wiggins, Vice-President of Manufacturing Operations, UK for Agratas, said, “We welcome the UK Government’s investment as we build a battery manufacturing facility that will play a vital role in delivering net zero and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing. This funding will support the development of our Somerset facility, enabling us to produce battery cells for our anchor customer, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). Over the next year we will have over 2,200 people working on the site, and that growth will continue over the coming years.”

Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director at the APC, said, “This globally significant investment by Agratas reinforces the UK’s accelerating position in pursuit of road transport decarbonisation through the production of vital high-performance batteries for electrified vehicles. I’m delighted that the ATF has been able to support Agratas in their investment in new facilities, creating secure and highly skilled jobs in this area and across the supply chain.”

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said, “Recent global events have highlighted the need for resilient supply chains, making this new investment in the sector both timely and important. The UK has a highly skilled and innovative automotive industry, but long‑term competitiveness depends on a policy framework that encourages investment. The modern Industrial Strategy provides that forward‑looking support, and today’s announcement demonstrates strong government backing for one of the UK’s most vital industries.”

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Hyderabad-headquartered electric vehicle company Olectra Greentech has launched a new brand identity and tagline, ‘Transforming Everyday’. The update marks the company’s transition from a specialist bus manufacturer to an organisation providing integrated mobility and energy solutions.

The brand repositioning is built upon three operational pillars intended to guide product development and market engagement:

• Pragmatic Futurism: Developing platforms for real-world conditions.
• Accessible Innovation: Ensuring technology remains scalable and usable.
• Trusted Guide: Establishing the company as a partner within the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

The mission statement accompanying the refresh focuses on delivering innovation and execution excellence to create value for stakeholders in the mobility and energy sectors.

The updated visual language reinterprets existing company elements – the Olectra Prism – a central triangle representing structural integrity and direction. The Olectra Universe – a surrounding circle symbolising the ecosystem of stakeholders, infrastructure and cities.

Olectra currently operates with a portfolio that has expanded to include electric trucks and tippers alongside its established bus manufacturing division. The company maintains a manufacturing pipeline primarily serving government sectors.

Mahesh Babu, Managing Director, Olectra Greentech, said, “Olectra’s new brand identity is not just a visual change – it represents our ambition, mindset and the direction we are heading. It ensures that our brand, organisation and long-term strategy are aligned. As we transform from a pioneering electric bus manufacturer to a future-ready, innovation-led organisation delivering integrated mobility and energy solutions, this new identity reflects our core values and our commitment to ‘Transforming Everyday’ across the mobility and energy ecosystem.”

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Astranova Mobility, an electric vehicle (EV) financing and asset management platform, has raised INR 600 million in a Series A equity funding round. The investment was led by IvyCap Ventures, with participation from existing investors Asian Development Bank and Advantedge Founders, as well as Silicon Valley-based Trucks Venture Capital.

Founded in 2023 by Kunal Mundra and Grip Invest, Astranova Mobility provides financing and operational services for commercial electric vehicles. The company’s portfolio includes two-wheelers, cars, buses and heavy-duty trucks. To date, the platform has enabled the deployment of over 25,000 EVs with an asset value exceeding INR 3.6 billion.

The company’s "full-stack" platform includes EV financing and leasing, asset selection and maintenance, proprietary data and technology dashboards, and operational support.

The capital will be used to enhance the company's data, AI, and engineering capabilities. Astranova aims to increase its scale fivefold over the next 18 months, with a long-term goal of enabling USD 1 billion in EV deployments over the next four years. The partnership with Trucks VC is intended to provide access to technical expertise from the United States automotive technology ecosystem.

Kunal Mundra, Founder and CEO, Astranova Mobility, said, “We are delighted to welcome IvyCap Ventures as a partner on this journey. Their deep experience and strong track record in the Indian startup ecosystem, combined with best-in-class access to institutional capital and engineering capabilities through institutions such as the IITs, will be a key differentiator for Astranova. With this fund raise, we have simultaneously unlocked significant debt capital and are now all set to grow over 5x in the next 18 months which will create a strong foundation for us to enable the deployment of USD 1 Bn EVs in the next 4 years and accelerate India’s transition to net zero.”

Vikram Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner, IvyCap Ventures, added, “Astranova Mobility is a strong enabler of India’s clean mobility transition, combining data-driven insights, financing strength, and deep sector expertise. Their rapid execution and clear vision for the commercial EV segment position them well to scale sustainable transportation nationally. We’re delighted to partner with them on this journey.”

Puneeth Meruva, Partner at Trucks Venture Capital, commented, “India’s transition to commercial electric vehicles will require over USD 100 billion in financing. Yet, traditional lenders lack the expertise to underwrite EV assets, while small fleet operators remain underserved due to limited credit access. Astranova addresses this gap through a data-first, full-stack platform spanning leasing, asset management, and maintenance.”

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German luxury brand BMW Group India has recorded its highest-ever Q1 sales, delivering 4,567 cars in the first three months of CY2026. This represents a 17 percent YoY increase, with every month in the quarter achieving record performance levels.

The Group maintains a 70 percent market share in the Indian luxury electric vehicle (EV) segment. In Q1, the company sold 1,185 BMW and MINI EVs, marking an 83 percent YoY growth. Currently, 1 in 4 vehicles sold by BMW in India is an electric model, with EV penetration reaching 26 percent of total sales.

The company’s electric portfolio includes 6 cars and 2 scooters, supported by a network of over 6,000 charging points nationwide. Initiatives such as Destination Charging and Smart E-Routing have been implemented to support the transition to luxury electric mobility.

As per the luxury brand, it observed growth across several specific vehicle categories:

• Long Wheelbase (LWB) Range: LWB models accounted for over 50 percent of total sales, with 2,256 units delivered, which marks 23 percent YoY increase.
• Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) segment grew by 38 percent YoY, totalling 2,966 units and representing 65 percent of the group's car sales.
• MINI: The brand delivered 213 units, achieving 42 percent growth.
• BMW Motorrad: The motorcycle division delivered 1,216 units, led by demand for the G 310, S 1000 and GS series.

BMW Group India has planned 27 product launches for 2026, covering all-new models, facelifts and limited editions. Four models were introduced in Q1, including the BMW M2 CS and BMW X3 30, with a further eight launches scheduled for the second quarter.

Under its Retail.NEXT strategy, the group plans to expand its presence by adding 19 outlets across 18 cities this year. The current network comprises 97 touchpoints in 40 cities. Additionally, BMW India Financial Services financed 25 percent of the vehicles sold in Q1, offering products with assured buy-back values of up to 74 percent.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India has entered 2026 in an extremely strong position. We have achieved our highest-ever Q1 sales, registering solid double-digit growth, despite macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds. Our lead in India’s luxury electric mobility also continues thanks to the immense trust our valued customers have put in our electric offerings in terms of performance, EV ecosystem and technology. We are geared to a pulsating 2026 that will be marked by our most ambitious product offensive, with 4 already launched and 23 more to go. Sustaining this momentum into long-term success, our unwavering focus on customer experience, aftersales and brand connect will be taken to the next level. With each new car, we aim to deliver JOY to our customers who enable this success story for BMW Group India.”

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